The First Elder of the Lin Clan noticed the seriousness on Lin Shuan's face. The young alliance leader had been reading the two messages moments earlier, but the expression that had settled over his features suggested that something had caught his attention.
The elder hesitated briefly before asking, "Alliance Leader, is something wrong?"
Lin Shuan lowered the messages and glanced at the people gathered before him.
"The entire empire now knows about the establishment of the Frost Dragon Alliance," he explained. "The imperial royal family has sent its congratulations, along with some news. The Merchant Organization has also sent a message."
He paused, allowing everyone to absorb his words before continuing.
"They have reported the discovery of a seventeen-thousand-year-old medicinal herb to the west of the capital. It possesses an icy root and is said to be extremely valuable. However, a Rank Seven Talismanic Beast is guarding it."
"A Rank Seven Talismanic Beast?" the First Elder repeated, his expression changing slightly.
The strength of such a beast was not something an ordinary cultivator could disregard. Even among the powerful cultivators of the empire, a Rank Seven Talismanic Beast was a formidable existence. Its strength, instincts, and natural abilities could make it considerably more troublesome than a human opponent of a similar cultivation level.
Lin Shuan nodded.
"The herb is beneficial, but it is of little use to me at present. Unless I reach the Immortal Seed Rank, absorbing its medicinal essence would be of limited benefit."
Its value lay in its natural medicinal essence, which could be directly absorbed for cultivation. However, its age and properties alone did not mean that it would be useful to him in his current state.
A herb of that age was certainly worth obtaining, but only if there was a suitable reason to do so.
Before anyone could respond, footsteps sounded from the entrance.
Han Qing Li had returned with a set of clothes for Lin Shuan.
She entered the hall carrying the garments, intending to hand them to him. However, she soon noticed that Lin Shuan had already become occupied with something else. The messages lay in his hand, and the surrounding elders were listening attentively to his explanation.
For a moment, she remained near the entrance, uncertain whether she should interrupt.
Then she walked toward him.
Lin Shuan noticed her approach and turned his head.
"Hmm, Li'er, would you like that seventeen-thousand-year-old medicinal herb?"
Han Qing Li blinked.
"Umm… Hmm…"
Her gaze shifted briefly toward the others before returning to Lin Shuan.
"Would you bring it back for me?"
She spoke somewhat hesitantly, as though she had not expected him to ask her so directly.
Lin Shuan answered without the slightest hesitation.
"If you want it, I'll bring it back for you. It won't be difficult for me."
His tone was calm, almost casual, as though obtaining a precious herb guarded by a Rank Seven Talismanic Beast were no more troublesome than taking a walk through the city.
Han Qing Li looked at him for a moment.
She had known that Lin Shuan was not someone who would easily retreat from a challenge, but his willingness to accept the task simply because she wanted the herb still caught her off guard.
A faint warmth spread through her heart.
Before she could reply, the First Elder spoke again.
"Alliance Leader, that is a Rank Seven Talismanic Beast. How do you intend to deal with it? I believe you should take someone with you."
His concern was understandable.
The Frost Dragon Alliance had only recently been established. Its strength was growing rapidly, but the alliance could not afford to lose its leader over a single medicinal herb.
Lin Shuan had already demonstrated strength beyond what many people expected from someone of his age. Nevertheless, even extraordinary talent had its limits. A Rank Seven Talismanic Beast was not an opponent that could be underestimated.
Han Lei Jun, who had been listening nearby, suddenly stepped forward.
"Alliance Leader, can't we obtain that herb ourselves? You seem rather generous when it comes to the princess."
His words were delivered with a faint smile, and his gaze shifted meaningfully between Lin Shuan and Han Qing Li.
For a moment, Lin Shuan's expression became rather peculiar.
He looked at Han Lei Jun as though he were trying to decide whether the older man was genuinely making a suggestion or deliberately teasing him in front of everyone.
Han Qing Li, meanwhile, lowered her gaze slightly.
Before Lin Shuan could respond, another voice interrupted.
"Why don't I go with him?"
Yan Feng Luo stepped forward, his expression carrying a hint of eagerness.
"It has been a while since I had a proper workout."
His words were casual, but there was an unmistakable confidence behind them. The prospect of confronting a powerful beast seemed to have awakened his fighting spirit.
Han Qing Li turned to look at him.
For a brief moment, her eyes moved from Yan Feng Luo to Lin Shuan, and something about the situation seemed slightly strange to her. Nevertheless, she did not voice her thoughts.
Instead, she looked directly at Yan Feng Luo.
"Yan Feng Luo, your safety comes first. Make sure you remember that."
Yan Feng Luo immediately straightened.
"Yes, Princess."
His reply was respectful, and his expression became serious.
The First Elder appeared somewhat reassured by his offer. However, another matter still remained.
"What about the imperial royal family?" he asked. "They have sent a message as well. Will you be going to the capital?"
Lin Shuan glanced down at the message in his hand.
"They have specifically requested that I visit them. It seems something is about to happen, and they want me to arrive in the capital soon."
His expression remained thoughtful.
There was no way to know the precise reason behind the summons from the message alone, but the fact that the royal family had specifically requested his presence suggested that the matter was not entirely ordinary.
He folded the message and continued.
"And there is something else. Everyone now knows that the Yue Sha Empire still exists."
The surrounding cultivators exchanged glances.
They had already learned about the Yue Sha Empire's continued existence, so Lin Shuan's words did not come as a complete surprise. Still, hearing that the news was now spreading throughout the empire made the matter feel more substantial.
The Yue Sha Empire was no ordinary name in the history of the region. Its existence carried implications that could not be dismissed lightly.
However, Lin Shuan did not dwell on it.
"The Merchant Organization has also informed me that a meeting of the Merchant Organizations from five empires will take place in our Da Cang Empire fifteen days from now."
"Five empires?" someone repeated.
Lin Shuan nodded.
"The participating merchants will come from the Da Cang Empire, the Da Kang Empire, the Tian Luo Empire, the Feng Hua Empire, and the Hao Tian Empire."
A brief silence followed.
Even the First Elder seemed surprised by the scale of the gathering.
The Merchant Organizations of five empires rarely assembled without a significant reason. Such a meeting would naturally attract powerful merchants, influential figures, and cultivators who were connected to the trading networks of the region.
For the Frost Dragon Alliance, which had only recently risen to prominence, the event could prove significant.
Nevertheless, the gathered cultivators did not pursue the matter further. Their attention soon returned to the matters immediately before them.
Lin Shuan, however, found his thoughts drifting elsewhere.
The mention of the imperial royal family had brought a particular figure to his mind.
Princess Yi.
For a moment, the bustling hall around him seemed to fade into the background, and a memory surfaced from the depths of his mind.
He remembered the first time she had addressed him in that peculiar manner, as though the distinction between their identities and ages meant very little to her.
"Lin Shuan!"
Her voice echoed in his recollection.
"Lin Shuan, do you know the meaning of your own name?"
The younger Lin Shuan had looked at her with uncertainty.
"Princess… no, I don't."
Princess Yi had taken a deep breath, as though she were gathering the patience to explain something that should have been obvious.
"Lin Shuan, what did I just tell you?"
He had blinked.
"My name is Yi, and you can call me by my name."
Lin Shuan had hesitated before answering.
"But you are older than me…"
"Enough!"
Princess Yi had immediately cut him off.
"What does being older have to do with anything? A person is truly greater when they possess something more influential than those who are older than themselves."
She had paused briefly, then continued with complete seriousness.
"Such as strength and wisdom."
Lin Shuan had stared at her.
For a moment, he had seemed genuinely uncertain about what she was trying to say. Then a strange smile had appeared on his face, as though he had heard her explanation but had failed to understand what she expected him to do with it.
The memory faded.
Back in the hall, the corners of Lin Shuan's lips lifted into a faint smile.
He did not know why that particular conversation had resurfaced in his mind at this moment. Perhaps it was simply because the imperial capital had been mentioned. Or perhaps the thought of returning there had reminded him of someone whose way of thinking was as unusual as her strength.
Whatever the reason, the memory left him in a slightly better mood.
He turned toward Yan Feng Luo.
"Let's go."
Yan Feng Luo nodded.
Han Qing Li stepped forward slightly, her gaze settling on Lin Shuan.
"Stay safe."
Her voice was gentle, but the concern behind those words was unmistakable.
Lin Shuan looked at her and nodded.
"Hmm."
Yan Feng Luo also nodded toward her before preparing to leave.
The two men had no intention of wasting any more time.
Lin Shuan retrieved his mask and put it on, concealing his face once more. With Yan Feng Luo beside him, he left the Lin Jian Sect and headed toward the city's transportation district.
The streets were already bustling with activity.
Cultivators moved through the broad avenues, merchants called out from their stalls, and carriages passed between the buildings. Above them, several enormous flying vessels floated in the distance, their silhouettes casting shadows over the streets below.
Lin Shuan raised his head.
His eyes lingered on one of the flying vessels.
He had seen such things before, of course. In a world where cultivators could soar through the skies and powerful formations could transport people across vast distances, flying vessels were hardly unimaginable.
Yet seeing one from a distance and actually travelling aboard one were two entirely different matters.
Under ordinary circumstances, Lin Shuan's strength would make purchasing a ticket an unnecessarily troublesome affair. His abilities were not something he could casually reveal to everyone, and he had little interest in drawing attention to himself merely to secure passage aboard a flying vessel.
However, Yan Feng Luo's presence made things considerably simpler.
Thanks to him, Lin Shuan finally had the opportunity to experience such a journey.
Once they arrived at the transportation district, the two men made their way toward the boarding area. The flying vessel awaiting them was an impressive sight, its enormous body suspended above the ground while powerful formations maintained its stability.
Cultivators moved along the boarding platform, and attendants guided passengers toward their designated positions.
Lin Shuan followed Yan Feng Luo aboard.
The instant he stepped onto the vessel, his attention was drawn toward the vast landscape beyond its railing.
He walked straight toward the edge.
As the flying vessel began to move, the city gradually receded beneath them. Buildings became smaller, streets narrowed into winding lines, and the people below were reduced to tiny figures moving through the bustling streets.
The vessel rose higher.
A vast expanse of sky opened before Lin Shuan.
His excitement was difficult to conceal.
He stepped toward the railing, spread his arms wide, and allowed the wind to rush past him. His white robes fluttered wildly in the breeze, their sleeves billowing as the flying vessel travelled through the open sky.
For a brief moment, he forgot about the medicinal herb, the Rank Seven Talismanic Beast, the royal summons, and all the other matters awaiting him.
He simply enjoyed the view.
The distant mountains stretched across the horizon like enormous dragons resting beneath the clouds. Rivers wound through the land below, reflecting the sunlight in silver ribbons, while forests covered the earth in endless shades of green.
The world looked entirely different from this height.
Yan Feng Luo approached him and watched his behaviour with mild amusement.
"Friend Lin Shuan," he asked, "have you really never travelled on a flying vessel before?"
Lin Shuan did not turn around immediately.
"It's my first time."
Yan Feng Luo raised his eyebrows.
"Really?"
He glanced at Lin Shuan's outstretched arms and the enthusiasm with which he was enjoying the journey. For a moment, he seemed unable to decide whether to laugh or simply admire the younger man's carefree attitude.
Then a smile appeared on his face.
"Very well. In that case, let's enjoy the journey properly."
Lin Shuan turned toward him.
A moment later, he removed his mask.
There was no need to conceal his face from the wind and the open sky. With the scenery stretching endlessly before him, he wanted to enjoy the experience without any unnecessary restrictions.
The two men continued their journey aboard the flying vessel.
The wind swept past them, carrying away the sounds of the city and replacing them with the quiet vastness of the sky.
For Lin Shuan, it was a rare moment of simple enjoyment.
An hour passed.
Eventually, Lin Shuan withdrew his attention from the distant scenery and reached into his storage ring. He took out a map and unfolded it carefully.
It was the same map the First Elder had purchased for him in Frostveil City when he had first prepared to enter the Eastern Ancient Forest.
He had kept it all this time.
The map contained information about the surrounding regions, including several routes and geographical landmarks that could prove useful when travelling through unfamiliar territory.
Lin Shuan examined it for a moment, comparing the markings with the landscape visible below.
Then he pointed toward a location on the map.
"We've already travelled west of Cang Yue City," he said. "We should reach the destination before long."
Yan Feng Luo leaned closer to glance at the map.
"Then we won't have to wait much longer."
Lin Shuan folded the map and returned it to his storage ring.
The flying vessel continued toward its destination.
Before long, the surrounding landscape began to change. The distant mountains grew more prominent, and the temperature gradually dropped as they approached a region covered by dense forests and rugged terrain.
Eventually, the flying vessel began its descent.
The two men disembarked once it reached the designated landing area.
Lin Shuan put his mask back on.
After confirming their direction, they left the transportation district and headed toward the region where the seventeen-thousand-year-old medicinal herb was said to have been discovered.
The forest ahead was dense and quiet.
Tall trees rose toward the sky, their branches spreading across the canopy and blocking much of the sunlight. The ground was uneven, covered in fallen leaves, exposed roots, and patches of moss.
A faint chill lingered in the air.
The deeper they travelled into the forest, the more noticeable it became.
Yet neither man slowed down.
A moment later, a streak of white lightning shot through the forest toward the west.
It moved with astonishing speed, flashing between the trees before vanishing into the distance.
Immediately behind it, a fiery streak tore through the sky.
The two streaks raced across the forest, one white as lightning and the other blazing like a trail of fire.
The distance between them shifted as they moved, but neither seemed willing to give the other an easy victory.
The white lightning was Lin Shuan.
The streak of fire was Yan Feng Luo.
The forest blurred beneath their feet as they travelled at extraordinary speed. Branches swayed in their wake, and loose leaves scattered into the air.
Yan Feng Luo's fiery aura burned brightly around him, while Lin Shuan's movement carried the sharp, fleeting quality of a bolt of lightning.
Despite the difference in their appearances, the two were moving toward the same destination.
Before long, a cave came into view.
Its entrance was partially concealed by the surrounding vegetation, and the rocky surface around it appeared ordinary at first glance. There were no obvious signs of a powerful beast guarding the entrance, nor were there any visible traces of an elaborate defensive structure.
The place looked strangely deserted.
Lin Shuan slowed and came to a stop before the cave.
A moment later, Yan Feng Luo descended beside him.
Yan Feng Luo glanced at Lin Shuan, his expression carrying a trace of disbelief.
"Lin Shuan, your speed is truly beyond comparison. Even when I used my full speed, I still ended up behind you."
His tone contained both admiration and a hint of competitiveness.
Yan Feng Luo had considerable confidence in his own abilities. His movement techniques were powerful, and his fiery aura allowed him to accelerate with remarkable force.
Yet despite pushing himself to the limit, he had failed to overtake Lin Shuan.
Lin Shuan barely reacted to his words.
His attention was fixed on the cave.
The air around the entrance was noticeably colder than the surrounding forest. A faint medicinal fragrance drifted outward, carried by the cool breeze.
It was subtle, but unmistakable.
Lin Shuan's eyes narrowed slightly behind his mask.
"So this is the place?"
Yan Feng Luo looked toward the entrance.
"Hmm. It looks rather ordinary."
Lin Shuan stepped forward.
"We'll only know how ordinary it is after we enter."
With those words, he moved toward the cave.
The instant his foot crossed the boundary near the entrance, the ground beneath him trembled faintly.
A strange fluctuation passed through the air.
Before Lin Shuan could react, intricate patterns emerged around the entrance, hidden markings lighting up one after another. The surrounding space distorted, and an ancient formation abruptly awakened.
Countless energy vines burst from the ground and surrounding rocks.
They shot toward Lin Shuan with terrifying speed.
Yan Feng Luo's expression changed.
"Watch out!"
But his warning came too late.
The energy vines had already wrapped around Lin Shuan's body.
One coiled around his waist, another seized his arms, and several more tightened around his legs and chest. In an instant, he was bound by a network of powerful restraints.
Lin Shuan immediately attempted to move.
He could not.
The vines tightened further, their strength increasing with every passing moment.
A sharp pressure spread through his body.
His muscles strained against the restraints, but the vines refused to loosen. Instead, they constricted around him more fiercely, restricting his movements and impeding the flow of blood through his body.
The pressure continued to rise.
Veins began to stand out beneath his skin as his body struggled against the crushing force.
Lin Shuan's eyes turned cold.
He had entered the cave expecting danger, but he had not anticipated being captured by a formation concealed so close to the entrance.
The formation was far more troublesome than it appeared.
Without wasting another moment, he released his aura.
A surge of icy energy erupted from his body.
White frost spread rapidly through the surrounding air, covering the ground and climbing over the energy vines. In the blink of an eye, a layer of ice formed across their surfaces.
The vines slowed.
Their movements became stiff as the cold spread through them.
For a brief moment, it seemed as though Lin Shuan might freeze the restraints completely.
But the formation was not so easily suppressed.
The ice-covered vines trembled.
A strange energy flowed through their structures, and cracks began to appear in the frozen surfaces. The frost could not penetrate deeply enough to destroy the formation's power.
The vines moved again.
They tightened around Lin Shuan, forcing him to endure the crushing pressure once more.
Yan Feng Luo's expression darkened.
He immediately released his own aura.
A powerful wave of fire erupted from his body, spreading through the forest like a blazing tide. The temperature rose sharply as the surrounding vegetation was engulfed in flames.
Nearby vines withered and burned.
Leaves curled into ash, and patches of vegetation were reduced to smouldering remains.
Yet the energy vines binding Lin Shuan remained unaffected.
Yan Feng Luo's eyes narrowed.
"So they can withstand fire as well?"
He did not waste time pondering the reason.
His right hand swept through the air, and blazing flames gathered around his palm. The fire condensed rapidly, taking the shape of a long spear.
The weapon's surface rippled with scorching energy.
Yan Feng Luo gripped it firmly.
"Let's see how long you can endure this!"
With a sharp shout, he thrust the fiery spear forward.
The weapon cut through the air and struck the energy vines with tremendous force.
A violent burst of flames erupted at the point of impact.
For an instant, the vines snapped apart.
The pressure around Lin Shuan's body loosened.
He immediately drew a breath, his muscles relaxing slightly as the crushing restraints fell away.
But his relief lasted only a moment.
The broken vines began to regenerate.
Fragments of energy drew together, and the severed structures rapidly reformed. New vines emerged from the same formation, growing at an astonishing speed.
Before Lin Shuan could move away, the restraints had already wrapped around him again.
His expression turned serious.
The formation was not simply creating ordinary energy vines. Their ability to regenerate suggested that the vines were connected to the formation's central structure.
As long as that structure remained intact, destroying the vines themselves would accomplish very little.
Lin Shuan tried to free himself once more, but the pressure continued to increase.
Then something stirred within his bloodline.
A powerful, ancient presence awakened in his body.
The Azure Dragon bloodline!
Azure energy surged through his limbs, and a layer of azure scales began to form across his skin. The scales spread over his body, creating a protective layer that reinforced his physical strength.
The pressure did not disappear, but the effect was immediate.
The restraints could no longer compress his body as easily as before.
Lin Shuan felt the difference and his eyes brightened.
He could sense the strength of the Azure Dragon bloodline flowing through his muscles. It was not merely an increase in energy. It was a profound enhancement of his physical body, granting him the strength to withstand forces that would otherwise have left him helpless.
He flexed his fingers slightly, testing the newfound resilience.
"So this is the Azure Dragon's capability…"
A faint smile appeared beneath his mask.
"Not bad."
He raised his head and looked toward Yan Feng Luo.
"Yan Feng Luo, strike the centre of the formation!"
Yan Feng Luo immediately followed his gaze.
His fiery eyes swept across the intricate patterns surrounding the cave entrance. Until then, the constantly regenerating vines had drawn most of his attention. But now that Lin Shuan had identified the formation as the source of the problem, Yan Feng Luo concentrated on examining its structure.
The faint fluctuations of energy converged toward a particular point.
There.
His gaze sharpened.
"So that's the centre…"
The flames around his body surged.
Yan Feng Luo took a step forward, gathering his power into a single concentrated attack.
"Yaaah!"
He thrust his hand forward.
A blazing wave of fire shot toward the centre of the formation, striking the hidden structure with overwhelming force.
The ancient patterns flashed violently.
For a brief instant, the entire formation lit up, revealing its complex arrangement of energy lines. The vines binding Lin Shuan trembled as the power sustaining them began to collapse.
Then—
Crack!
A sharp sound echoed through the forest.
The formation shattered.
The energy vines disappeared in an instant, dissolving into scattered motes of light before vanishing completely.
Lin Shuan's body was finally freed.
At the same time, the azure scales covering his skin began to fade. The protective layer disappeared gradually, returning his body to its usual state.
He rolled his shoulders and flexed his hands, confirming that he could move freely again.
However, before either man could say anything, a terrifying roar erupted from somewhere deeper within the forest.
The sound shook the entire woodland.
Branches trembled violently, leaves rained down from the trees, and the ground seemed to quiver beneath their feet.
Lin Shuan and Yan Feng Luo immediately turned toward the source of the roar.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Heavy footsteps thundered through the forest.
Something enormous was approaching.
The sounds grew louder with every passing moment, accompanied by a powerful aura that sent a wave of pressure through the surrounding area.
Then a deep growl reverberated from the cave entrance.
A gigantic wolf emerged from the darkness.
Its enormous body filled much of the entrance, and its eyes fixed upon the two intruders with unmistakable hostility. Its fur bristled as it lowered its head, baring its teeth in a threatening snarl.
The beast's presence made the surrounding forest feel even colder.
Yan Feng Luo's gaze settled on the enormous wolf.
"A wolf…"
He stepped forward, positioning himself between the beast and the cave entrance.
"I'll handle this one. You go inside and retrieve the medicinal herb."
Lin Shuan looked at him, then nodded.
"Alright."
Yan Feng Luo rolled his shoulders.
He slowly stretched his arms, and a series of sharp cracking sounds came from his joints as he loosened his body.
A grin spread across his face.
"How many months has it been since I had a proper fight? I'll put on a good performance today."
His voice carried an unmistakable excitement.
Then his aura erupted.
A fierce wave of energy swept across the forest, and the flames surrounding his body blazed more intensely. The air around him distorted beneath the rising heat as he revealed his true cultivation.
Six-Star Immortal Seed Rank!
Lin Shuan looked at the enormous wolf.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
The beast lowered its massive body, its muscles tightening as it prepared to pounce.
Lin Shuan watched it settle into its hunting stance, then shifted his gaze toward Yan Feng Luo.
The battle was about to begin.